This week, a 34-year-old man from Colorado succumbed to an exceedingly rare reaction to the bite of his Gila monster companion.
The deceased individual, whose identity is unknown, was fatally bitten by a juvenile Gila monster; this is the first fatal bite from a Gila monster in the past ninety-four years.
Now, authorities have cautioned that the occurrence in question was “inevitable.”
Chris Lewis, a wildlife charity Born Free’s captivity research officer, told that it is impossible to predict whether an individual will experience a fatal reaction until it is too late.
Mr. Lewis asserts that such occurrences are “certainly going to be inevitable as long as individuals continue to confine animals to unnatural environments.”
In contrast to other lizards of North America, the Gila monster secretes its venom through its lower mandible.
It is well-known that the venom induces symptoms such as vomiting, vertigo, burning pain, low blood pressure, and potentially fatal fainting.
The last fatality attributed to a Gila monster bite, however, occurred in 1930, more than ninety years ago.
The individual may have experienced an allergic reaction four days subsequent to the bite, according to current speculation.
Venomous Pets: Hidden Dangers Unveiled
According to Mr. Lewis, the venom is generally thought to be non-lethal, and the individual in question likely experienced an allergic reaction.
However, this demonstrates that regardless of the venom of an animal, keeping it as a companion will always expose it to danger.
Mr. Lewis notes that owners cannot “take any sort of precautionary test” to determine whether or not they are susceptible to a fatal allergic reaction.
“Until someone is bitten, it is impossible to determine whether or not they are allergic to the animal’s venom,” he elaborated.
Although Gila monster venom is infrequently lethal, its bite is nonetheless lethal and can cause excruciating agony.
Reptile Rapture, an exotic pet store, states on a care document, “A Gila is frequently submissive, which may induce a false sense of security in you.” It holds the potential to strike at any moment.
Submerging the reptile in water or administering hand sanitizer into its mouth may be the only means of releasing its grip on occasion.
In both the United States and the United Kingdom, a special licence is required to own a Gila monster.
According to Mr. Lewis, the most recent research from Born Free indicates that at least 38 Gila monsters are privately owned in the United Kingdom.
Nevertheless, in his opinion, the current legislation fails to adequately safeguard proprietors of venomous animals.
Regulations and Risks of Keeping Gila Monsters
“The legislation mandates the safety of the owner or other individuals in the house minimally, if at all,” he stated.
Proper training and bite-resistant gloves are essential for safely handling venomous reptiles; however, these items are not prerequisites for possessing a Gila monster.
Additionally, Gila monsters are extraordinarily robust and necessitate costly specialised apparatus for their maintenance.
Mr. Lewis further stated, “It is utterly absurd that members of the public are permitted to keep dangerous animals.”
Gila monsters are not exceedingly aggressive in the wild.
They utilise their natural camouflage to merge in and ambush small mammals and birds due to their extremely sluggish movement.
When threatened, Gila monsters flee or hide, and only bite when completely stressed, according to Mr. Lewis.
However, by bringing these creatures into captivity, the likelihood that they will feel compelled to bite defensively increases considerably.
Wildlife manager at World Animal Protection, Dr. Charlotte Regan, told, “Human-Gila monster interactions are extremely rare in the wild; these creatures are predominantly nocturnal and spend a great deal of time underground.”
The Gila monster is inherently placed in an unnatural environment and unnatural circumstances. Including its proximity to humans, when it is kept as a pet in captivity.
